another test is to compare the strength in the arms by asking
the person to squeeze your hands...this may be friendlier than
asking them to raise their arms, as you can hold thier hands,
and they may need a reassuring touch if this is happening to
them--it is scary!

my dad had a severe stroke and was an invalid--disabled for
15 years before pawssing away.
he struggled with aphasia...inablitly to speak, and paralysis,
inabilty to walk.